France bakes a 461-foot-long baguette, sets new world record
French bakers have set a new Guinness World Record by crafting the longest baguette ever, measuring an impressive 140.53m (461 feet). This record-breaking feat surpasses the previous record of 132.62m (435 feet and one inch) held by Italy for nearly five years. The monumental achievement was showcased at the Suresnes Baguette Show, held on the Terrasse du Fécheray observation deck in Suresnes, a suburb just outside Paris.
Baking process and record verification
The baking team, composed of 18 skilled bakers, began preparing the dough at 3:00am local time and oversaw the baking process from 5:00am, according to a news release from Suresnes. A mobile oven was custom-built to accommodate the extraordinary length of the baguette. According to Reuters, Guinness World Records judge Joanne Brent was present to verify this record-breaking achievement.
Record-breaking baguette shared with spectators and the homeless
Once baked, sections of the record-breaking baguette were sliced, spread with Nutella, and distributed among spectators. A portion was also donated to Celije, a local youth association, for distribution to homeless individuals later that day. Suresnes Mayor Guillaume Boudy expressed pride in witnessing this record for the world's longest baguette which celebrates their national gastronomy symbol.
The significance of the record-breaking baguette
Dominique Anract, head of the French National Confederation of Boulangerie and Patisserie, stated that creating this record-breaking baguette required about 10 hours of work. He emphasized that such an accomplishment requires true collective sportsmanship, particularly in an Olympic year. This world-record attempt serves as a tribute to the recognized heritage and culture of French baguettes, which received special protected status on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2022.
Facts about baguette
The baguette, which is a long, thin, crusty loaf with shallow cuts, ranks among the world's most popular breads. France enacted a law in 1993 stating that traditonal baguettes must be crafted on-site and consist solely of white flour, water, yeast, and salt. This treat is prohibited from being frozen and containing any additives or preservatives.
